Vacuum heating system.



PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905.

3. GOLLIS. VACUUM HEATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3.1903.

UNTTED STATES Patented February '7, 1905.

PATENT QFFICEQ JOHN COLLIS, OF DES MOINES, IOiVA, ASSlGNOl-t TO WILLIAM l. (OLLIS, OF NEW YORK, Y.

VACUUM HEATING SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 781,767, dated February 7, 1905.

Application filed July 8, 1903. Serial No. 164,127.

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Be it known that 1, JOHN OLLIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Des hloines, in the county of Polk and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vacuum Heating Systems, of which 1 the following is a specification.

'l. he objects of my invention are to provide a steam-heating system of simple and inex- IO pensive construction designed to automatically maintain a vacuum of a certain predeter-e mined amount throughout the entire heating system, so that if leakage should take place at any part of the system and the vacuum should thereby be accidentally destroyed then the pumps forming part of the apparatus would be automatically actuated to maintain the vacuum, and also to provide automatic means for returning the water of condensation to prevent the same from accumulating in the system and to prevent the vacuum being destroyed by the accumulation of water.

A further object is to provide a system of this class which may be quickly and easily 5 changed to adapt it for the use of exhauststeam from an engine or to adapt it for the use of steam from a boiler at or below atmospheric pressure and also to adapt it for the use of steam under pressure more than atmospheric pressure, and in this connection it is to be remembered that in order to operate a heating system of this class under the most economical methods under varying conditions it desirable under ordinary circumstances to use steam from a boiler at or below atmospheric pressure. Under some conditions it is desirable to use exhaust-steam from an engine, and in cases of extreme cold it is desirable to use steam above atmospheric pressure. It is also of material advantage that as the water in the boiler falls below the boiling-point a vacuum will be maintained throughout the en tire system, so that vapor rising from the water in the boiler may freely pass throughout the entire system.

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an improved pump-governor especially adapted for use in connection with my improved heating system and also to provide an imi More specifically, it is my object to provide proved automatic valve for permitting the flow of the water of condensation to the pumpgovernor when a siiilicient amount of water has accumulated on top of the valve to overcome the resistance of the valve-spring, so that this water of condensation may collect above the valve and be passed through the valve only when a certain amount of water has accumulated, so that the valve may remain normally closed to prevent the passage of air or steam through it and yet permit the flow of water at certain times.

A further object is to provide an improved vent-valve for radiators especially designed for usein connection with my improved heating system and whereby the valve is automaticallyclosed when a vacuum is formed in the radiator, and yet when steam is above atmospheric pressure the valve will permit the escape of air until a certain predetermined pressure is reached, when it will automatically close, and, further, the said valve will automatically close when water reaches it to thereby prevent the escape of water through the said valve.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of the entire system and in the construction of the pump-governor, the valve for controlling the return of water of condensation, and in the construction of the ventvalve for the radiator, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates the entire heating system, parts thereof being shown in section. Fig. 2 shows an enlarged detail sectional view of the vent-valve, and Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the valve for controlling the tlow ot' the water of condensation.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference-nmneral 10 to indicate the supply-main arranged to receive steam from any source of supply "such, for instance, as a boiler and the reference-numeral 11 indicates a pipe communicating with the main 11) and designed to receive exhauststeam from an engine. A cut-oil valve 12 is by an automatic controller hereinafter described.

The numeral 19 indicates an exhaust-pipe for. the engine 16.

The numeral 20 indicates the engine pistonrod, connected with the pump-piston 21 in the pum p-cylinder 22. This piston 21 is provided with a valve 23, and communicating with one end of the cylinder 22 is an air-pipe 24, and communicating with the other end of the cylinder is an air-exhaust pipe 25, the parts being so arranged that when the steam-engine is running air will be pumped from the pipe 24 and discharged through the pipe 25. This pipe 24 communicates with a vacuum-tank 26, which tank is suspended by the hangers 27 from an elevated support, and connected with the pipe 24 is a vacuum-indicator 28 of ordinary construction;

In starting up the heating system the operator first opens the valve 17, thus admitting steam to the engine 16 and pumping air from the tank 26. The amount of vacuum formed in said tank may be readily determined by the vacuum-indicator 28. I have provided means for automatically stopping the pump 16 when the vacuum has reached a certain predetermined dcgree, as follows: Communicating with the air-pipe 24 is a pipe 29, leading to a fluid-pressure motor 30. This motor belongs to that class containing a flexible diaphragm 31, which diaphragm is provided with an arm 32, pivoted to a weighted lever 33, which is fulcrumed to a stationary support 34, and connected with the lever 33 is a link 35, attached to the lever 36 of the valve 18, so that when the amount of vacuum in the pipe 24 reaches a certain predetermined degree then the diaphragm 31 is elevated, because of said vacuum, and the valve 18 is closed. thus cutting off the supply of steam to the engine 16 and stopping it.

Communicating with the vacuum-tank 26 is a pipe 37 which also communicates with the chamber 38 of an automatic governor to be hereinafter described. Mounted upon pipe 37 is a vacuum-indicator 39 of ordinary construction. and in the pipe 37 is a valve 40, controlled by a fluid-pressure motor 41, which motor is connected with pipe 37 by the branch pipe 42, and a link 43, connected with the lever of the fluid-pressure motor, operates the valve-lever 44 of the valve 40. In use 1 preferably set the fluid-pressure motor so that it will close the valve 18 when the indicator 28 shows that the vacuum in the tank 26 is about twenty inches, and I set the fluid-pressure motor 41 so that it closes the valve automatically when the indicator 39 shows that the vacuum in the pipe 37 is about ten inches.

The reference-numeral 45 indicates a radiator of ordinary construction, and a pipe 46 communicates with the main 10 and with the said radiator. A valve 47 is placed in said pipe, by which communication through the pipe may be cut ofi when desired.

The numeral 48 indicates a pipe communicating with the radiator 45 and also communicating with the bottom of the chamber 38 of the pump-governor, so that the water of condensation may pass from the radiator into the pump-governor chamber. Communicating with the main 10 is a pipe 49, which also communicates with the pipe 48, so that the water of condensation in the main may also pass to the pump-governor chamber. Mounted upon the horizontal portion of the pipe 48 is a check-valve 50, permitting passage through said pipe to the pump-governor chamber and preventing its return, and the numeral 51 indicates a cut-ofi? valve on the pipe 48 between the check-Valve and the pump-governor chamber to be controlled by hand. Apipe 52 communicates with the steam-engine 53 and with the pipe 14.

Between the pipes 14 and 52 is a cut-0H valve 54, controlled by a lever 55, parts being so arranged that when the lever 55 is operated communication between the pipes 14 and 52 will be either established or cut 05, as the case may be, and I have also provided a cut-off valve 56 in the pipe 14, which may be controlled by hand. ln this connection it is to be explained that when the valve 54 is opened steam may pass from the main,through the pipe 52, to the engine 53, and hence said engine will be operated. This engine is provided with an exhaust 56*. and its piston-rod 57 is connected with a pump-piston 58 in the pump-cylinder 59, a valve 60 being provided for said piston.

The reference-numeral 61 indicates a pipe communicating at one end with the bottom of the pump-governor chamber 38 and also communicating with one end of the cylinder 59. and a pipe 62 communicates with the other end of the cylinder 59 and also with a point of discharge, which may be the boiler which supplies steam to the system. In this pipe 61 is a check-valve 63, permitting the flow of water toward the pump and preventing its return toward the chamber 38, and a cut-off valve 64 is placed on the pipe 61 between the check-valve 63 and the chamber 38. This valve 64 is controlled by hand. Assuming that water has accumulated in the chamber 38 and that the valve 54 is opened, obviously the engine 53 will be operated and the pump will draw water through the pipe 61 from the chamber 38 and discharge it through the pipe 62.

lhave provided means for automatically controlling the valve at by the amount of water in the chamber 38, as follows: At one side of the chamber 38 is a lug 65, in which a shaft 66 is mounted. Fixed to this shaft 66 is a lever 67, projecting into the chamber 38. Connected with the lever 67 is a float 68, designed to rise when the water in the chamber 38 reaches it. Fixed to the shaft 66 is an arm 69, and this arm is connected with the lever by means of a link 70. Slidingly mounted in the free end of lever 67 is a rod 71, having at its top a disk T2, designed to engage and close the end ofpipe 37 when the lever67 is elevated. An extensile coil-spring T3 is mounted upon the rod 71, and its upper end engages the disk 72, while its lower end rests on top of the lever 67, thus normally holding the rod T1 to its upper limit by the nut H on the lower end of the rod. \Vhen the float 68 is at its lower limit of movement, the passage through the pipe 37 is not obstructed and the same amount of vacuum is maintained within the pipe 37 and the chamber 38. However, when the water of condensation rises sufficiently in the chamber 38 the valve T2 will be closed, and as the water continues to rise the valve T2 will remain closed and the upward movement of the lever 67 will not be restricted, because the rod '72 may slide through the lever 67. Then when the water is high enough the lever 67 will be elevated far enough to open the valve 5%. This will permit the steam from the main 10 to pass to the steam-engine 53, and hence the pump will be operated to remove the water from the chamber as and the valve 72 will be held closed until the water is materially reduced in the chamber 36, whereupon it will again be opened, and when the water in the chamber is reduced far enough the valve 5-1 will be closed and the pump stopped.

The reference-numeral 75 indicates a reducing valve of ordinary construction mounted upon the main 10.

The water of condensation from both the radiator and the main passes downwardly through the pipes i8 and t9 to the pump-governor chamber, and l have provided an automatic valve for each of these pipes, so arranged as to hold the water of condensation until a certain predetermined amount has gathered and then to permit it to flow through the pipes rapidly. This valve comprises a casing 76 made of two parts, so that access may be had to the interior thereof,and the upper and lower tion is a disk 79, and an cxtensile coil-spring 80 engages the lower guide 77, and the under surface of the disk 75) normally holds the disk upwardly. Formed on the interior of the valve-c: sing T6 is an annular rim 81, and a rubber gasket 82 is litted to the under surface of this rim in position to be engaged by the top surface of the disk 79. This valve performs substantially the same function as the ordinary check -valve, except that it is designed especially for use in connection with this particular kind of heating system. The reference-numeral 83 indicates a by-pass formed in the casing T6 and leading from a point below the rim 81 to a point above it, and this by-pass may be closed by the plug 84C. The function of this by-pass is to permit air to pass around the valve when the valve is closed, so that the same amount of vacuum may be maintained in the pipe both above and below the valve at all times. The said by-pass is made so small that it will not permit any material amountof water to pass through it. The said spring 80 normally holds the disk T9 against the rubber gaskctand prevents the passage of water dowi'iwardly. However. when the weight of water on top of the disk T9 is sul'licient to overcome the resiliency of the spring 80 then the spring is forced downwardly and the water may llow through the casing past the disk 79, and as soon as the water-pressure has been relieved the spring 80 will close the passage-way through the casing. If the returnpipes -t8 and T9 were normally open. then it would be possible for the steam therein to pass down through them and its heat be lost, and the valves 76 are provided to prevent this loss of steam without in any way interfering with the passage of water through said pipes, The valve 79 is normally closed and opens only at short intervals when the weight of water above it is sutlicient to overcome the pressure of its spring. The water quickly passes through, and the valve closes.

Referring to Fig. 20f the drawings, 1 have illustrated in detail the radiator vent-valve. This vent-valve comprises a lower body portion 85 to be screwed to a rmliator-section and having therein a guide86 and an annular rim 87, provided with a rubber gasket $8 on its top surface. The numeral 89 indicates the upper body portion secured to the part 85 and having a chamberdesigned to receive the [loatvalve hereinafter described and provided at its upper end with a narrow neck 90. In the lower portion of the neck 90 is an opening tapered from its lower end toward its upper end and indicated by the numeral 91, and above this is a partition 92, having an opening therein normally closed by the ball 93, the upward movement of the ball, however, being restricted by the curved neck. The reference-numeral 9 1 indicates the stem slidingly mounted in the guide 86 and lixed to a hollow float-valve This float-valve has a flat bottom-surface designed to engage and rest upon the gasket 88. On top of the floatvalve 95 is a stem 96, having a tapered rim 97 thereon, and above the tapered rim is an extension passed through the tapered opening 91. In use with this portion of the device and assuming that the radiator is to be used in connection with a vacuum heating system then the float-valve 95 will obviously be held to its seat by the air-pressure from' the outside, and the ball 93 will also be held to its seat in the same way, thus insuring an air-tight closure at this point. Assuming, however, that steam under pressure is intro troduced into the radiator, then air may be forced outwardly through the valve, and the internal pressure of the steam will elevate the valve 95, and the ball 93 will move to permit the air to pass under the float 95, so that the air may escape. However, when the pressure from within becomes strong enough it will elevate the float 95 far enough to hold it in such position that the tapered rim 97 will engage the tapered opening 91 and prevent further escape of the air. Assuming, further, that the internal pressure of the steam will force water of condensation to the valve, then the valve will be held closed, because the float 95 will force the stem 96 and its tapered rim 97 firmly against the tapered opening 91, so that a single valve is provided that will work properly and entirely automatically when the radiator is used for either of the classes of heating just described.

In practical use and assuming that it is desired to use steam at or below atmospheric pressure the operator first opens the valve 17, thus admitting steam from the main to the pump 16. This will have the effect of exhausting the air from the elevated tank 26 until avacuum of a certain predetermined degree has been reached, whereupon the fluidpressure motor 30 will be automatically operated to close the valve 18. However, before this valve is closed the air will be exhausted from the interior of the pump-governor chamber 38 through the pipe 37, and the air will also be exhausted from the radiator and from the adjacent portion of the main 10 through the pipes 48 and 49. When the amount of vacuum in the pipe 37, the chamber 38, and the rest of the heating system has reached a certain predetermined degree say, for instance, ten inches-then the fluid-pressure motor 41 is automatically operated to close the valve 40, so that before the air-pump is finally stopped a vacuum of a certain amount will be maintained in the pump-governor and throughout the most of the heating system of about ten inches and a vacuum will be maintained in the tank 26 of about twenty inches. IVhen this has been done, steam at or below atmospheric pressure is introduced into the main 10 either by opening the valve 13 and permitting the steam to enter the heating system through the reducer 75 or else the valve 12 is opened and exhaust-steam is admitted through the pipe 11. In either case the steam will immediatel y pass to all parts of the heating system, and as the water of condensation accumulates in the radiators or in the main this water will pass to the valves 76 and will accumulate until a certain predetermined amount is gathered, whereupon the valves will open, and this will flow into the pump -governor chamber. When the water rises in this chamber far enough to raise the float, then the valve 54: will automatically open and the water pump be started and the water in the chamber 38 will be discharged, and when the float again falls the pump will automatically be stopped. In this way. the amount of vacuum is automatically maintained and is not reduced by the accumulation of water. The valve 72 is normally away from its valve-seat, so that a vacuum may be maintained in the chamber 38, and said valve is only closed for a short period of time after the said chamber has nearly filled with water and before the float reaches the elevation re.

quired for opening the valve 5%. Assuming that a leak should occur in any of the pipes or valves throughout the heating system proper, the vacuum would of course be gradually and slowly destroyed and would have the effect of permitting the diaphragm of the fluid-pressure motor to move downwardly on account of the weighted lever attached thereto, and this would open the valve 40, and thus the twenty-inch vacuum in the tank 26 would soon increase the vacuum in the tank 38 to the desired point, or to ten inches, whereupon the valve 10 would immediately close and the amount of vacuum in the heating system would be maintained at the same point. hen this has been done repeatedly until the vacuum in the tank 26 is at or less than twenty inches, then the fluid-pressure motor 30 would be actuated to open the valve 18 and operate the air-pump to again increase the vacuum in the elevated tank. The accumulation of water in the pump-governor would have the tendency to diminish the amount of vacuum in said chamber. However, by providing the valve 72 the pipe 37 is closed as soon as the water in the chamloer 38 rises to a sufficient height, and during the further upward movement of the lever 67, which lever continues to rise until it opens the valve 5 L, as before explained. By this means the rise and fall of water in the pumpgovernor is prevented from affecting to any material extent the amount of vacuum in the passage 37.

The system may be readily and quickly adapted for the use of steam above atmospheric pressure by simply closing the valve 36, thus cutting out the vacuum system.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States therefor, is'

1. In a heating system, a heating-main, a radiator communicating with the main, a

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pump-governor chamber, a pipe for carrying the water of condensation from the radiator to the pump-governor chamber, a steam-pump connnunicating with the pump governor chamber and forcing the water therein to a point of discharge, a float-controlled pumpgovernor in the pump-governor chamber controlling the steam-pum p and a normally closed check-valve in the pipe communicating between the radiator and the pump-governor chamber. said valve automatically opened by the weight of accumulated water.

2. In a heating system, a heating-main, a downwardly extended pipe communicating with the main to carry ofl the water of condensation, a radiator communicating with the main. a downvardlyextending pipe communicating with the radiator for carrying off the water of condensation, said pipes connect ed with each other, a pump-governor chamber receiving the discharge from said pipes, a steam-pump communicating with the pumpgovernor chamber for forcing the water therein to a point of discharge, a float-controlled pump-governor in the pump-governor chamber controlling the steam-pump and a normally closed check-vane in each of said downwardtwextending pipes some distance above the point where they are united, said valves automatically opened by the weight of accumulated ater.

3. In a heating system, the combination of a radiator and a vacuum creating and maintaining means connected to the return side thereof, said means comprising in combina' tion a high-vacuum chamber and a lowvacu um chamber in communication with each other, said low-vacuum chamber in communication with the radiator, means t'or creating and maintaining a vacuum in the high-vacuum chamber equal to or in excess of the requirements of the system, a float in the lowvacuum chamber and a valve controlled by said float closing communication between the high and low vacuum chambers when the float is elevated.

t. in a heating system, the combination of a radiator and a vacuum creating and maintaining means connected to the return side thereof, said means comprising in combination a high-vacuum chamber and a low-vacuum chamber in comnumication with eacl other, said low-vacuum chamber in communication with the radiator, means for creating 1 and maintaining a vacuum in the high-vacuum chamber equal to or m excess of the requirements of the system, a float in the lowvacuum chamber and a valve controlled by said float closing communication between the high and low vacuum chambers when the float is elevated and means for governing the communication between said chambers according to the requirements of the radiator.

An improved heating system, comprising a heating main, a radiator communicating with the main, return-pipes communicating with the main and with the radiator. a pumpgovernor chamber receiving the discharge trom the return-pipes, a steam-pump communicating with the 1mmp-governor chamber, a steam-pipe conmmnicating with the steam-pump, a float-controlled pump-governor in the chamber controlling the flow of steam to the steam-pump, a vacuum-tank, means for exhausting the air from the vacuum-tank, a pipe communicating between the vacuum-tank and the pump-governor chamber, and a valve operated by the float to con trol the communication between the vacuumtank and the pump-governor chamber.

6. An improved heatingsystem, comprising a heating-main, a radiator communicating with the main, return-pipes communicating with the radiator and with the main, :1 pumpgovernor chamber communicatingwith the said return-pipes,a check-valve preventing the return of water from the pumpgovernor chamber to the return-pipe, a steam-pinup communicating with the pump governor chamber, a steam-pipe communicating with the main and with the steam-pump. a float in the 1mmp-governm' chamber, means for controlling the passage ot' steam through the steam-pipe by the movements of said float, a 'acuum-tank supported above the pump-governor chamber, means for exhausting air from the vacuum-tank, a pipe connnunicat-ing between the vacuum-tzmlc and the pump-governor chamber, and a valve connected with the float controlling said pipe.

T. An improved heatingsystem, comprising a heating-main, a radiator communicating with the main, return-pipes communicating with the radiator and with the main, a pumpgovernor chamber communicating with the said returnpi1c)es, a check-valve preventing the return of water from the pump-governor chamber to the return-pipe, a steampump communicating with the pump-governor chamber, a steam-pipe communicating with the main and with the steam-pump. a float in the punip-governor chamber, means for controlling the passage of steam through the steam-pipe by the movements ot'said float, a vacuum-tank supported above the pumpgovernor chamber, means for exhausting air from the vacuum-tank, a pipe communi 'ating between the vacuum-tank and the pump-governor chamber, and a valve connected with the float controlling said pipe, and an automatic fluid-pressure motor cmnmunicating with said pipe and closing the passage-wa,\' through it when the amount of vacuum therein has reached a certain predetermined degree.

8. Animprovedheatingsystem,comprising a heating-main, a radiator communicating with the heating-main, a pump-governor chamber, a pipe communicating between the radiator and the pumpgovernor chamber, a spring-closed check-valve provided with a bymunicating with said pipe and having a valveseat, a valve engaging the under surface of the valve-seat, a spring normally holding the valve upwardly against its seat, said valve casing formed with a by-pass communicating with the valve-chamber above and below the valve-seat.

JOHN GOLLIS. \Vitnesses:

J. RALPH DRUID, S. F. UHRIsTY. 

